Where to research doctors?

I received the results of my biopsy today, and now must start deciding what will be the correct course of treatment for me. My doctor said I basically had 4 options. AS, herbal, radiation, or RP. He suggests the RP because of my age, but I would lose one side of the nerves. Now for my stats. I'm 40 with a strong family history, PSA 4.3, 2 out of 10 show adenocarcinoma moderately differentiated Gleason 6. Both are on the right side, one is 50% with PNI the other is 12% with no PNI.

My primary care doctor joined a big medical group thing so they only refer to other doctors that are in their parent company group thing. I want to find the doctor that will be best for me, not the one that shares the same letterhead. I was ok using their network for testing, but now that reality has set in I need to be my own advocate and choose the best doctor for me. It may end up being the current doctor, but I feel I need to be better informed.

Are there any good resources for researching doctors to see who has the most experience, which procedures they favor, common outcomes, etc.?

Dang, you're starting with the right questions. There are guys here from all over, so if you'll let us know where you are located, it's a good chance someone here knows something about someone near you.

One way to start would be with a google search in the format of: City prostate cancer treatment, with 'city' being your location. Once a name shows up, you can again enter them as a search item and find things like listings of their articles and maybe even comments on them.

I'm sure others will roll in with thoughts for you, I will say this: at your age and gleason scores, Active Surveillance sounds like a tailor-made choice.

DangNabbit said...
... 2 out of 10 show adenocarcinoma moderately differentiated Gleason 6. Both are on the right side, one is 50% with PNI the other is 12% with no PNI....

Welcome to Healing Well.

You may not actually need treatment. At least for a good while. Many posters here would consider you have Active surveillane stats. To be sure, you need a second opinion from Epstein or Bostwick.

You can learn a lot you need to know at the sticky

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2652250

You are beginning a journey that is complex and usually does not have definitive answers.

The reality is that some people think that Gleason 6 should not be a positive diagnosis because a true gleason six will never metastasize. The problem is, it is hard to determine from a biopsy whether you have a true gleason six.

Also, some people just don't have the mindset to do AS, and want it done with. There are risks of side effects.

However, one thing that is clear from your stats is that you have plenty of time. Any number of months to decide. I suggest you sit back, research. Give it a few months, and then you will know what is right for you.

I tuned out a bit for the 2nd option. I think he was talking more homeopathic passive options like diet etc. He also offered to setup a consult with a radiologist to get their viewpoint as well as his preference for open RP with my family history: grandfather, father, and uncle. I told him I needed time to absorb and research to better understand what we were discussing and set up another consultation in 3 weeks.

A good place to start is with the major teaching hospital affiliated with U of K. I just did a quick google search and found that UK Chandler right there in Lexington has both PC surgery and Radiation groups, and a Varian True-Beam system.

This is nothing to mess with. The slogan 'go big or go home' applies.

And, yes, with 2 G6 cores, you would certainly qualify for Active Surveillance, you owe it to yourself and your family to look seriously at it.

Here is one place to start.

http://health.usnews.com/doctors

I believe newsweek also has a similar published list.

Don

Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

My best advice is to listen to Allen...

Andrew